The Portland daily press., 1887-09-08
"roM BROWNS MOTHER.
ufflngton House, the House OF MRS.
Hughes, at Rugby, Tenn.

The thoughtful visitor to Rugby to-day,
sees that it has passed the period Of expert
ment, and that the shanty of the settler has
grown slowly into the home of the colonis.
or the exiles. The Hughes cottage. "Uning-
ton House" called after their beloved home
in the Isle Of Wight, claims first attention.
Allthe sentiment Of Rngby naturally cen
tres about that lovely old gentlewoman,
Madam Hughes, who began the last decade
OF her century on the 1st Of last April.
Reared In luxury and in the center OF the
most cultivated society Of England, she has
for almost 10 years made her home in the
wilderness with her c0untrymsn, or, as she
says, with her dear Toms friends"
Uthington house does not respond kindly
TO the well meaning intentions Of the cam
era, and turns all its angles outward. but its
hedges, its rose garden and its grape arbOr
are fair TO see, aud its mistress to quote her
ola friend, the poet laureate Of England:
There Is none like her, none,"
The Question often asked when Rugby Is
named, Is Why did Mrs. Hughes at her ad-
yanced age come to America? How could
We put this question to her, yesterday,
though not in quite so bold q form, as we
sat in her dainty drawing room at the close
Of a charming day at Mffiington house
"The loss ten years ago In England Of my
Senior" she said, made II a matter Of
complete indiffer ence TO me where | passed
the remainder of my life. The duty clos
est my heart seemed TO bring to her father,
who was quite alone In this country, my
granddaughter Emily, who has been pre-
ci0us charge to me since her infancy. She
was just out of school, and her father long
ed for her and she for him, and have made
home for them In the new world and am
content. and know my days have almost mi
F0 - In alWFaa
climate, for the London winters tried me sore
ly."
Perhaps the devotion Of her sons and this
favorite granddaughter have had something
to do with working the miracle.
Each year, as soon as Her Majesty OF
England consents to spare her councillors
(Mr. Tom Hughes Is a q. C.) he at once lays
down the awful majesty Of the law, takes
of his wig and gets down from his woolsack
these things still exist in Merrie England
and hies him across the seas for precious
10 days at Rugby with his dear mother!
Here, In a shocking bad hat and most disre-
putable shooting jacket, he renews bis youth
and becomes again veritable TON Brown at
Rugby"
Mr. w. Hastings Hughes married a few
months ago TO the daughter and helress Of
one Of Boston's merchant princes-is by no
means eclipsed by this devotion Of his elder
brother, for hardly month has gone by
since his mother came TO this country that he
has not found excuse TO run over from his
..parritch" in the little breakfast room at
Ufffngton house.
The charming drawing room where Mrs.
Hughes spends most Of her time, In her re-
clining chair, busy with her books or her
pen, Is full Of memories Of the beloved
daughter, Mrs. Senior. whose loss Is still a
grief to her. The walls are covered with
choice pictures and many dwarf book cases.
and on the western wall Is life size por-
trait Of her bonnie Jeannie." A noble type
Of Saxon womanhood, full Of grace and beau
ty. On either side of of the bay window, OPP
posite which commands glorious view Of
the stnset, are statuettes Of Mrs. Senior and
Tom Hughes, made by famous London
sculptor Mrs. Senior was a woman OF rare
gifts and sang divinely She was one Of the
few favorites Of the poet Tennyson, and set
many Of the l9ureate's songs TO music and
sang them to him. The poets parting gift
to Madame Hughes was an autograph edition
of his works. As may be fancied, the pres
ence of Mrs. Hughes in this colony, finding
contentment and happiness, is source Of con-
slant pleasure and inspiration, and her
friends hope to keep her with them many
years, and confidently expect to drink her
health as centenarian, around a birthday
cake circled by a hundred blazing can
dies, and In wine made In their own vine